Honda to build electric motorcycle  

The SMH reports that while Honda is giving up on formula 1 racing, it is expanding into electric motorbikes and lithium-ion battery production - Honda to build electric motorcycle.

The Japanese car maker Honda has announced that it will develop an electric motorcycle as part of its program to develop more efficient vehicles with lower emissions over the next two years. Details of the plans have not been revealed yet, but the motorcycle is expected to go on sale in 2010. ...

Honda earlier took the motor sport world by surprise by withdrawing from Formula 1 racing as part of its cost-cutting measures in response to the sharp downturn in sales.

In another development, the car maker said it had reached an agreement with GS Yuasa Corporation on a joint venture in manufacturing and selling high-performance lithium-ion batteries for the next generation of hybrid vehicles. Honda is considering adapting hybrid technology for medium and premium class models.